The 7th Souq Waqif Equestrian Festival on January 22, 2026. (All images are taken by Mahmoud Elmazaty / The Peninsula)
Doha, Qatar: The seventh Souq Waqif Equestrian Festival 2026 continued to draw large crowds on its third day, showcasing the beauty of purebred Arabian horses from around the world.
The festival has attracted not only horse enthusiasts, but also Souq Waqif visitors who were drawn by the venue’s set-up and lighting and stopped to watch the competitions.
Organised by the Celebrations Committee of the Private Engineering Office, the event runs until January 27, with broad participation from owners and breeders.
Organisers said this year’s edition includes around 50 more horses than last year, adding to the scale of the championship.
The seventh Souq Waqif International Championship for Purebred Arabian Horses (Category A), which began on Tuesday, is set to conclude today with the awarding of prizes to winners across the three days.
The programme will continue tomorrow with traditional children’s competitions and activities, before returning to the ring for the 15th Qatar International Championship for Purebred Arabian Peninsula Horses (Category S) from January 24 to 26. The festival will conclude with the Purebred Arabian Horse Auction (Beauty Category) on January 27, offering an additional platform for buyers and owners.
With free entry, attendance is expected to rise further over the weekend.
A group of Japanese visitors told The Peninsula they noticed the crowd and lights while touring Souq Waqif and decided to attend. “Witnessing this kind of Arabian horse festival is a very unique and different experience for us,” they said.
The festival has evolved into one of the region’s premier events of its kind, serving as a key platform to showcase the beauty of purebred Arabian horses and reinforce their significance in Qatar’s cultural heritage.
